I like this movie but I have trouble understanding the Glenn Ford character. Why does he tell everyone he's married and then sleep with the blonde behind the counter and later pursue Geraldine Page all the while assuming he's going to settle with Angela Lansbury (and even getting upset that she'll look the other way if he does have affairs)? Thanks for any insights you might have!
shareThat's a good question. Maybe he was just going for one last fling before he settled down. I don't think he was seriously pursuing Geraldine Paige the whole time, in fact at first he didn't seem to care for her, but she started to exhibit the kinds of things he wanted to see in a woman and he became interested in her.
When they were in the hallway, looking at what people left on their trays, her answers to his questions marked the point when he fell in love with her.
I have to agree - I didn't understand the Glenn Ford character either. I never "got" his motivations or what he was really after although I agree that it was the scene in the hotel hallway that turned him around as far as his feelings about Evie. Evie by contrast was a fully fleshed out woman that, while a little quirky, was someone we all know and understand. Maybe it was because Glenn Ford thought the role was just another studio assignment and didn't take it all that seriously? Page's reputation as the consummate actor precedes her so as always, she was fantastic.
shareThanks for the insights guys! Geraldine Page's performance is definitely what I enjoy most about this movie. I really wish I could feel the same about Ford's. It was definitely the tray scene where he saw her differently and maybe the blonde was one last fling. The pretending to be married thing I still can't figure and it will probably have to be a mystery lost to the ethos!
shareEther?
shareit was the time
women could be used because it didn't matter
if a woman slept with men she was branded a slut and men didn't need to answer to their actions
back in the 60s men were supposed to be experienced women were expected to be virginal that is just the way it was
things/attitudes have changed
or have they?
Harry was a middle-aged stereotypical traveling salesman. His life up to this point was a series of hotel rooms and one-night stands. Big changes are on the horizon; an office job and a marriage. He tells everyone he's married because he's trying to get used to the idea himself. He plays with his ring to remind himself of the fact. He's obviously not sure of the engagement and when we finally meet Phyllis, we can understand why. Partly out of habit and maybe the idea of one last fling is what I see are the reasons for his behavior.